Harborfest, others in Central New York will lose free prison labor when Red Creek annex closes

Dick Blume / The Post-Standard, 2008The annual Harborfest Children's Parade makes its way through Oswego July 25. Harborfest organizers may need to find a new source of labor to set up for the event after losing free labor from prisoners.

Red Creek, NY -- A budget cutting plan to close a state prison in Wayne County will slam the door on a supply of free labor used by local communities and civic organizations. For years, prisoner work crews at the Butler Correctional Facility's minimal security annex in Red Creek have been loaned out to help with everything from snow removal in Oswego, flood control in Jordan to cleanups in Fair Haven.

Even the city of Oswego's Harborfest, one of Central New York's largest summer events, uses the prisoners to set up and remove tents, fences and other facilities. The free labor will end Oct. 1 when the prison's minimal security section closes.

"The prisoners have done our set up for 15 to 20 years. We've never had to think about a backup plan," said Tom Van Schaack, Harborfest's director.

Even though the prison won't close until October, Van Schaack said Butler officials have told him they do not know if prisoners will be available to set up this year's Harborfest in July.

"Right now, we're not really sure about sure what direction to go," Van Schaack said. "We may have to use plan B and right now plan B doesn't exist."

The closing is part of the overall budget cuts needed to balance the state's finances, said Erik Kriss, spokesman for the state's Department of Correctional Services.

The prison's medium security section, which does not provide work crews, will remain open, Kriss said.

Typically, Butler made 10 work crews, of about 10 prisoners each, available for work off the prison grounds, Kriss said.

The Butler prisoners frequently work at Fair Haven Beach State Park, in Cayuga County, where they clean campsites, clear ditches and remove storm damage.

"They are in demand and we try to get them whenever we can. I've got a couple requests in right now," said Joe Keeler, park manager.

With the park facing its own budget cuts, Keeler said he does not know how he will deal with the loss of the free prison labor.